Speedtech Motorsport is taking registrations for its next round of engine tuning training courses giving home mechanics the chance to up skill. The STM School of Performance Education has two days of training courses coming up in Christchurch on the 1st and 2nd of October and registrations can be made online – too easy.

You might think you know your crankshaft from your camshaft but it doesn’t hurt to return to the basics and STM are offering EFI Tuning Stage 1. This course has something for beginners and those who already have some knowledge. It goes over things like EFI components, fuel injector basics, electronics and waveforms and ECU mapping. Once the Stage 1 course is completed it’s time to get more hands-on with EFI Tuning Stage 2. In this class, students get to learn things like dyno operation and safety, EFI diagnostics, PID control, and using a laptop to tune the engine. The course takes one day for each Stage and as a bonus it includes lunch. (more…)

Speedtech Motorsport have conducted a shootout test of the most popular over the radiator cold air intakes for a Holden/HSV LS engine.

Cold air intakes are a proven way of increasing power and torque in the LS engine and STM has conducted the tests on its VE SS Commodore test mule also known as ‘Project Pushrod’. This test machine was hooked up to a Dynapac dyno where its LS2 6.0-litre V8 engine could tell the story of which cold air intake offered the biggest power gains. Three tests were performed on each intake with the results averaged. The tested air intakes include products from VCM Suite, X-Air, Eastern Automotive and K&N.

Check out a video of the testing below and for a full write up of the results, click here to visit the STM website. (more…)

Speedtech Motorsport are hosting a Holden Owner’s Evening on Wednesday 25th May at 7:30pm in Lower Hutt. The crew at Speedtech have extended the invitation to all Holden and HSV owners who want to learn more about their machines and how to get the most from them. Maintaining and modifying your Holden can be confusing even for the total petrol heads amongst us so the boys at STM are trying to educate the masses. Attendance is free.

Topics covered in the session include hot to increase the power, torque and economy on your Holden, maintain it well and retain resale value.

Here’s a snapshot of how the evening is organised:

• Holden Tech Talk – Learn more about your car, including how to modify it
• Dyno demonstration – See and hear a VE SS Commodore running on a dyno
• Check out parts available for modifying your car
• Check out first-hand the brand new HSV E3 GTS and Clubsport on display
• See an over the radiator intake shoot out
• Enjoy free drinks and nibbles and chat with like-minded enthusiasts (more…)

Dyno Time

As a professional tuner, I rely on dynos to help me perform my job. The dyno is the tool we use to quantify the results of all the parts that have been fitted, and to ensure the right numbers are put in the right parts of the map, or that the right jets are fitted to the carburettor.

These days more of you may find yourselves in a situation in which you need to have your car or engine run on a dyno for tuning purposes. Dynos are viewed with a lot of intrigue, mystery and a certain amount of fear — most of which is unfounded. This month we take a look at what exactly a dyno is, what it does and how it can be used to extract the best out of your engine.

What Is A Dyno?

A dyno is a tool used to simulate load on an engine while measuring the torque that is being produced. From the torque and engine rpm, the power can then be calculated. Dynos come in a number of different forms and each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in a little more detail.

Dynos fall into two categories: engine dynos, and chassis dynos.

The engine dyno requires the removal of the engine from the car for it to be fitted to the engine dyno cradle. The engine crankshaft is directly coupled to the dyno power absorption unit, which is able to provide a variable load to the engine. (more…)

Speedtech Motorsport are hosting a Holden Owner’s Evening next Wednesday (15th Dec) at 7:30pm in Lower Hutt. The crew at Speedtech have extended the invitation to all Holden and HSV owners who want to learn more about their machines and how to get the most from them. It’s an awesome idea because maintaining and modifying your Holden can be confusing even for the total petrol heads amongst us. Best part is that the evening is totally free.

If you want to find out how to increase the power, torque and economy on your Holden, maintain it well and retain resale value, then head along.

Here’s a snapshot of how the evening will go down:

¢    Holden Tech Talk – Learn more about your car, including how best to modify it
¢    Dyno demonstration – See and hear a VE SS Commodore running on a dyno
¢    Check out the best parts available for modifying your car
¢    Listen to 3 x National Rally Champion Joe McAndrew discuss his motorsport highlights
¢    Check out first-hand the brand new HSV E3 GTS and Clubsport on display
¢    Enjoy free drinks and nibbles and chat with like-minded enthusiasts

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us, if you’re keen to head along you can find out more info and register online at http://www.speedtechnz.com/holden